FUN AT THE SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE (IMSS)

[Doyle Phillips]

Bound and determined to make my application process a joyful experience I visited the IMSS office last week to pick up the list of required documents. In addition to the official brochure and list I was given two copies of the Medical Questionaire which is also the Application form.

The list of requirements:

Medical Questionaire

Two head shot photographs

CURP (National identification card)

Simple. Not quite. A friend had recently applied and advised me that I would need copies of every page of my U.S. Passport and my Mexican resident document FM 2.

So I returned ready for impediment-free processing at the IMSS office in downtown Guanajuato!

Caution: Window 1 of 2 is not necessarily the line to stand in. It could be Window 2.

I started at Window 2 and unforeseen difficulties began, alas.

"Where is the third copy of the Questionaire? You will have to go get a copy made." Luckily I had 3 pictures.

"Where is the CURP?" I understand that my senior citizen I.d. will suffice. "Get copies of both sides."

"We do not need copies of your U.S. Passport just the FM2." Good!

"Where is your letter to IMSS?" No letter is required. It is not on the list. "A letter is required. And all your family members must sign it."

I have no family members. I am single. This caused much consternation. "No family?" No one.

Finally we agreed on a hand-written letter as follows:

"ESTOY SOLTERO. NO TENGO NINGUN FAMILIARES EN M?XICO. DESEO CONTRATOR EL SEGURO DE SALUD PARA LA FAMILIA MOD. 33

(SIGNATURE AND DATE)"

"Are you sure you have no prior medical conditions?" Yes. "You have no medical conditions?" No prior medical conditions. "No medical conditions." Correct. "Your money will not be refunded if you have prior medical conditions." I understand.

"What is your domicile? Where is your rental agreement?" I did not see that on the list. I show the clerk the list on the brochure. She confers with her compa?era. This leads to much good-natured laughter and inviting me to join in. Somehow it did not get on the list ho-ho-ho. I point out that both my FM2 and Senior Citizens card show my address. (Conference time with the boss.) "We do not need the agreement. But now give us the Passport copies."

I go get the Questionaire and Senior card copies made and wait a while longer. All is in order! But "now go upstairs to another IMSS office to get the document form so that you can go to the only authorized bank to make the payment."

In the upstairs office I am, luckily, the only client. Perhaps that was the reason that it took more than 6 clerks and the boss to talk things over and of course joke a little bit among themselves in order to keep Employee Morale as High as Possible. Thirty minutes later everything is in order! "Go to the bank and return here with the receipt for payment."

Lamentably today is the day when the only authorized bank is standing room only--minimum of forty Preparatoria students ahead of me to pay their fees. I was somewhat thwarted and so will wait a few days to pay the fee and return in all good humor to the IMSS office.

So, fellow applicants, I hope this helps you have a wonderful time at IMSS. And just in case take a copy of your birth certificate.

Almost complete, Doyle

[mr bill]

Doyle, the fun is just beginning. Wait until you get your card and get to see your Dr. We are in the afternoon turn so for a walk-in visit we arrive at the at our assigned consultorio around 11:30 am and ask "who's last for 2 o'clock?" That person identifies him/herself and leaves. We wait around until someone else arrives and asks "who's last at 2pm" We then leave and have lunch returning at 1:30pm when we hand in our books to the nurse.Then we guess how long the wait might be and either stick around or go for another walk. This is so much more fun than "Take a Number"

On scheduled appointents they run pretty much o schedule and we show up 15 minutes early.

[GTOROCKS RACING TEAM]

Doyle have fun, but always good to have a doctor friend in mex who you can call in case of an emergency.

I recall my last visit to the General Hospital after an emergency where I was asked the craziest questions that determined what I was suppose to pay at the end, since I had no Seguro Popular. :D

I showed them my Hartford MEdical Card and they said what is that:) :shy:

I just remembered the damn US SS has like $37,000 of my money, I once wrote them a letter asking for a loan or pre payment of my SS benefits since I no longer resided in the states and wanted to enjoy of the $ before the SS disappears :-/

Wish everything was like in northern Europe where medical expenses are covered by the gov. Oh well :angel: